How hard is it to be added to a spouses credit card?

It is easy to add a authorized user,but the problem is the new Fico 2008 will be discounting au's scorewise. You should start building your own file with a secured card. Bank of America offers a secured program.

Is secured debt good for someone with no credit? I'm confused as to whether no credit is better than bad credit or the other way around.

I would think that neither are good, but in my case right now, I think no credit would be better. At least there would be a fighting chance to build it slowly and keep it good. I think that lots of people start their credit with secured credit, so I don't feel that it's a bad thing.

I don't know which is better. My friend when she got married had no credit. Her husband had HORRIBLE credit (old fiance took his cards and ran them up before she left...I think she was on the account with him...). Combine them together when they needed a new car-they couldn't get it-not in her name or his. They had to have his parents co-sign.

Oh man! I know exactly how she feels. I have been there with the no credit thing, and am there now with the horrible credit. My father had to cosign for my car last year. Thank goodness he was understanding and has always made it easy for me to go to him. If it weren't for him, I don't know what I would have done. I am hoping that since he cosigned and the car is reporting in both of our names, my credit score will improve a little. Baby steps to making it better, but something is better than nothing. :-)

Right on Eleroo!

No credit is just as difficult to secure funds as bad credit. The good thing going for you is no negatives. If a person has no credit I would recommend a small home town bank or credit union to start.

Would a person with no credit get a better apr than a person with bad credit? Or would they be the same rate as they are both negative in a sense (no history on one, bad history on the other)

Most of your bigger banks would probably class you right along with bad credit score card. I prefer small bank if you have a thin credit file or no credit. I used my own home town bank to add accounts to my credit files.

Wow, that's sad. Someone just starting out and having no credit has to work just as hard as someone with bad credit. I guess it makes sense, having to prove your credit worth, I would think that no credit would at least be a peg higher. thanks for your response all!